DENISE COLLINS explains how the Castle Gallery is building a reputation to rival the best of the central belt galleries.

It is always a pleasant surprise to discover a gallery outside the central belt dealing with quality works of art.  The Castle Gallery in Inverness is one such establishment.

Many new commercial galleries have opened in recent years and these ‘galleries’ have taken many guises including gift shops and tourist traps masquerading as galleries.  However, the Castle Gallery rises above this mediocrity.  Working to high standards, the gallery challenges the erroneous perception that you need to go to Glasgow or Edinburgh to view or buy contemporary art of any merit.  The Castle Gallery is successfully building a reputation to rival the best of the central belt galleries.

The gallery opened in April 2001 to great acclaim.  Over 250 people came to the inaugural  celebrations which were a huge success.  The reaction to the design and layout of the space and to the works of art on display was overwhelmingly positive.

In the Scotsman the gallery received a mention as a ‘new and excellent art gallery’.

It is a serious contemporary art gallery mounting exhibitions and selling work by some of the finest artists in Scotland and throughout Britain.  The owner and director, Denise Collins, has over 17 years experience running commercial art galleries.  She also owns, and still directs, Cambridge Contemporary Art, a highly regarded gallery which has shown at the Glasgow Art Fair for the past four years.  The philosophy of both galleries is to show contemporary art based on originality and aesthetic merit.

The 550 mile move north from Cambridge to Inverness was easy to make as many of the outstanding artists showing at Cambridge Contemporary Art were based in Scotland.   Denise chose Inverness as the location for her new gallery because of a mix of personal and business decisions.  Her family came from North East Scotland and as the capital of the Highlands, Inverness was expanding fast and becoming far more cosmopolitan.  The time was right to open a reputable gallery able to contribute significantly to the cultural development of the Highlands.

During the first year of opening the gallery:-

• Won the Inverness Tourism Award for Visitor Marketing.
• Was accepted, against stiff competition, for the prestigious Glasgow Art Fair.
• Welcomed the Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy M.P. to the gallery.
• Was selected for the Craft Council’s ‘National List of Selected Galleries’.
• Made a presentation at the Hi Arts ‘Visual Arts Day’ in Dingwall.
• Has been warmly welcomed by local artists, one stating ‘What has amazed me about this gallery is that it is so professional.  It is like going up another level.’Artworks, July 2001

The Gallery exhibits a diverse mix of artists, media and styles from all over the U.K., with a large representation of Scottish artists such as Dorothy Stirling, Michael Ross, Aliisa Hyslop, Jonathan Shearer, Andrew Walker and June Carey.  The gallery is keen to promote such quality painters as well as sculptors and craft makers.   Indeed, the excellent craft selection has been recognised by the Crafts Council with the inclusion of the gallery in the ‘National List of Selected Galleries’ (one of only eight listed galleries in Scotland).

Artists from the Highlands are also supported, however, not on the basis that they are local, but because the standard of work is comparable to the best in Scotland.  Such artists include Jim Neville, Joanne Kaar, Liz and Michael O’Donnell, Michael Forbes, Tom Mabon, Gillian Jones and John McNaught.

Inverness and the Highlands are major destinations for cultural tourism in Scotland.  Quality standards here need to be driven up to match the expectations of increasingly discerning visitors.  The Castle Gallery is playing its part in these developments in helping to erase the old perception of Inverness as being a bit of a cultural backwater in terms of contemporary art.  The gallery has been very successful in attracting visitors to the gallery via a range of clever marketing initiatives, a widely distributed gallery leaflet and a smart new website at www.castlegallery.co.uk.

However, the owner, Denise Collins is keen to stress that the gallery is not a ‘tourist gallery’ but one intended to serve the needs of the people of the Highlands and Islands by introducing new and vibrant art.

The gallery is situated in the lee of the castle, in the centre of Inverness.  The building dates from the early C18th.  During extensive renovations, which took ten months, wattle and daub and the original fireplace were exposed.  The premises now provide three separate gallery spaces on two floors in a welcoming and friendly setting.

The key staff have degrees in fine art and art history from Leeds University, Grays School of Art in Aberdeen, Edinburgh College of Art and St Andrews University.  In addition, Denise also has an MA in Museum and Gallery Administration from City University in London.  These well informed staff are there not only to sell work but to provide information on the various techniques and biographical information on the artists.  This highly professional yet approachable environment , makes the Castle Gallery an ideal place to browse, enjoy and buy the best in contemporary art.

To mark the opening of their Christmas exhibition the gallery is hosting a day of mulled wine and warm mincemeat pies on Saturday 29 November.  This open invitation to come along and view the superb and distinctive works of art on display should not be missed!

Castle Gallery, 43 Castle Street, Inverness is open Monday to Saturday 09.00-17.00 telephone 01463 729512.